A team of Hawaii scientists is investigating the cause of coral disease that has wiped out more than 100 red rice coral colonies in Kaneohe Bay.

The disease, called Montipora white syndrome, causes rapid tissue loss and kills coral within several weeks.

A boat driver recently discovered the outbreak in the south part of Kaneohe Bay and notified Greta Aeby, assistant researcher at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. The disease affects only red rice coral, or Montipora capitata.

A rapid-response team doing the investigation is made up of scientists and students from the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center and Bishop Museum. Aeby said she and other researchers occasionally spotted the coral disease at Kaneohe Bay in previous years, but have never seen a severe outbreak like this. The south part of the bay where the diseased colonies were discovered has poor water circulation and land-based pollution.

Aeby said the bacterial infection spreads from colonies touching each other. Bright, white patches on coral that is normally red or orange is an indication that it is diseased, with parts of its skeleton exposed. Experts from the U.S. Geological Survey are researching the pathology of the diseased coral to help narrow down the cause.

Aeby stressed how vital coral reef is to the balance of the ecosystem. “;When it starts crumbling, then the whole ecosystem starts collapsing,”; she added.

The boat driver who observed the white patches is a member of the Eyes of the Reef Network, a program that trains people in the community to identify threats to coral. Aeby hopes the program will help bring awareness and the need to protect coral that already has suffered detrimental effects. Less than 1 percent of coral within the main Hawaiian Islands is under protective status.

It takes 20 years for coral to grow to maturity.

Aeby fears the state's coral reef might end up like the Florida Keys, where 90 percent of its coral was wiped out. “;It could happen to Hawaii just as rapidly,”; she said.

The disease already was detected at the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve on Maui in January. “;The fact that this disease is starting to appear more quickly is very alarming to me,”; she added. “;This may just be the wake-up call we need.”;

For information on how to be a member of the Eyes of the Reef Network, go to www.reefcheckhawaii.org/eyesofthereef.htm.